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Michael J. Fox has been making people laugh, think and feel for more than four decades. Born in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, Fox moved to Los Angeles as a teen to pursue acting. He quickly became one of the 1980s’ biggest celebrities—a fixture on every teenybopper magazine cover and the star of one of TV’s most popular shows—Family Ties. During the sitcom‘s run, he won three Emmy Awards and became a household name. He also starred in the mega blockbusters Teen Wolf and Back to the Future—and the rest is pop culture history.
But Fox’s story goes far beyond Hollywood. In 1991—at just 29 years old—he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Fox kept the diagnosis private for seven years before going public in 1998—and when he did, he chose to fight—not just for himself, but for every person living with the disease. In 2000, he founded The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, which is the largest nonprofit funder of Parkinson’s drug development in the world.
Along the way, he’s written four bestselling memoirs, was the subject of the acclaimed 2023 Apple TV+ documentary Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie and delivered scene-stealing performances in shows like The Good Wife and Curb Your Enthusiasm. You can also see him as Gerry in Season 3 of the hit series Shrinking, streaming now on Apple TV+.
Through it all, Fox has remained one of the most optimistic, honest and genuinely beloved public figures in America. And his words about life, acceptance and moving forward are ones we all need to hear. That’s why Michael J. Fox is today’s quote of the day.
Quote of the Day by Michael J. Fox
“Acceptance doesn’t mean resignation; it means understanding that something is what it is and that there’s got to be a way through it.”
In just one sentence, Fox captures something that most of us spend years trying to figure out. It’s not just about accepting the things we cannot control, but it’s what we do after accepting them that matters most.
Michael J. Fox is awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by U.S. President Joe Biden at the White House on January 4, 2025.Photo by Tom Brenner on Getty Images
(Photo by Tom Brenner on Getty Images)
Deeper Meaning of Michael J. Fox’s Quote—Acceptance
When Fox talks about acceptance, he’s speaking from a place that most people can’t fully imagine. He was just 29 years old—one of the most famous actors on the planet—when he noticed his pinky finger twitching on the set of Doc Hollywood in 1991. But after his devastating diagnosis, Fox never faltered. Instead, he executive produced and starred in his own sitcom—Spin City—that won him another Emmy and a Golden Globe before he stepped away from the show in 2000.
That’s what makes his words about acceptance so powerful. He isn’t saying “just deal with it.” He’s saying: look at the thing honestly, acknowledge that it’s real—and then find a way through. Not around it, not over it, but through it—and that is what makes all the difference in life.
Related: Michael J. Fox’s Actor Awards Appearance Has Fans In Tears: ‘Yeah, I’m Crying’
Tracy Pollan and Michael J. Fox attend the 2024 TIME100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center on April 25, 2024.Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris on Getty Images
(Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris on Getty Images)
About Michael J. Fox
When he went public with his diagnosis in 1998, he turned a harrowing personal challenge into a mission so much bigger than himself. The Michael J. Fox Foundation has funded more than $2 billion in Parkinson’s research to date—making it the single largest nonprofit funder of Parkinson’s drug development in the entire world. He’s testified before Congress, appeared on countless magazine covers and continues to use his platform not for personal accolades—but for global change.
Related: Michael J. Fox’s Foundation Surpasses U.S. Government in Parkinson’s Funding
What makes Fox’s philosophy so relatable is that he’s never pretended it’s easy. He’s talked openly about dark moments—about the time he was leaning against his kitchen wall, waiting for an ambulance, thinking “this is as low as it gets.” But with his spirit and determination, he overcame it. And his marriage to actress Tracy Pollan—his Family Ties co-star, whom he married in 1988—has been a constant source of strength. The couple has four children and has been together for nearly four decades.
Fox’s quote isn’t just about illness. It’s about anything life throws at you—a loss, a setback, a curveball you never saw coming. It’s not about the obstacle, but how you react to it that makes all the difference.
Other Inspiring Quotes by Michael J. Fox
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“Gratitude makes optimism sustainable. If you can find something to be grateful for, then you can find something to look forward to, and you carry on.”
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“It may seem hard to believe, but it’s catastrophe that offers the most promise for an even richer life. This is the gateway to the good stuff.”
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“I have no choice about whether or not I have Parkinson’s. I have nothing but choices about how I react to it. In those choices, there’s freedom.”
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“Don’t imagine the worst. If you imagine the worst and it happens, you’ve lived it twice.”
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“Family is not an important thing. It’s everything.”
Next, Michael J. Fox Reflects on the Legacy He Wants To Leave Behind: ‘Spend It All Now’
This story was originally published by Parade on Mar 14, 2026, where it first appeared in the Life section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.